Array Beam Research Articles

Wide-angle non-uniform optical phased array using compact and efficient antenna design

In the need for a more compact and efficient optical phased array with a wide steering beam for LIDAR applications, a wide steering array with high resolution is desirable. However, in the published work, a trade-off is often made for one over another. Apodized grating antennas have shown good efficiency with a compact size and wide beam profile, which improve optical phased array beam steering capability and are also compatible with the CMOS silicon photonics process. A promising studies shows enhancement in steering range with good resolution utilizing a non-uniform optical phased array. In this work, we present two highly efficient optical antennas with 94% and 93.5% upward power at the center frequency for the first and second antenna respectively, exceeding state-of-the-artwork to the best of our knowledge, and wide full-width half maximum of 8.88° x 78.05° and 7.53° x 69.85° in elevation and azimuthal planes, respectively. Both antennas provide a broad bandwidth across the 1400–1700 nm wavelength range with more than 80% efficiency in the S, C, and L bands. To overcome the limited scan ranges and small aperture size, a two-dimensional non-uniform array of 10 × 10 elements is utilized to increase the beam steering capability. A genetic algorithm is used to optimize the position of array elements, resulting in an aliasing-free array with a wide steering range of 160° with beam width 0.5° and consistent −11 dB maximum side lobe level across the steering range.

A Multiobjective Array Beamforming Method for Arrays of Flexible Shape

High-performance beamforming incorporating multiple objectives for large-scale antenna arrays becomes increasingly important to improve the capacity and efficiency of wireless communication systems. The speed of synthesizing a desired beam pattern is critical in wireless communications systems to adapt to highly dynamic wireless channels. A modified particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm for synthesizing array beam patterns is proposed in this study. The initial positions of particles in PSO are designated following a Taylor distribution instead of being given uniformly distributed random values as in the classical PSO algorithm. The fitness functions are defined to include multiple objectives represented by producing multiple main lobes with customized deep and broadened nulls. Several scenarios have been established to examine the feasibility of the proposed algorithm. Moreover, the performance of the proposed algorithm is compared with those of the ones based on the classical PSO. A significant performance improvement for obtaining beamforming coefficients has been achieved. The robustness of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated further by applying it to a finite array on a curved surface for beamforming.

Realization of a circularly transformed Airyprime beam with powerful autofocusing ability.

The reported autofocusing ability of a ring Airyprime beam array reaches up to 8632.40, while the strongest autofocusing ability of a circular Airyprime beam (CAPB) is only 1822.49. How can the autofocusing ability of a single beam reach the autofocusing ability of a beam array? To achieve this goal, a circularly transformed Airyprime beam (CTAPB) is introduced by following two steps. First, a circular equation transformation on the two transverse coordinates in the electric field expression of a propagating Airyprime beam is performed. Then, the electric field expression of a propagating Airyprime beam is integrated over the angle. The intensity profile of a CTAPB on the initial plane changes significantly with varying the primary ring radius r0. With increasing r0, therefore, the autofocusing ability of a CTAPB undergoes a process of first increasing and then decreasing, while the focal length always increases. A CTAPB exhibits more powerful autofocusing ability than a CAPB. The maximum autofocusing ability of a CTAPB can reach up to 8634.76, which is 4.74 times that of a CAPB, while the corresponding focal length is 95.11% of a CAPB. A CTAPB on the initial plane can be approximately characterized by a ring Airyprime beam array with sufficient number of Airyprime beams. Due to the better symmetry, a CTAPB has a slightly stronger autofocusing ability than a ring Airyprime beam array and almost the same focal length as a ring Airyprime beam array. The CTAPB is also experimentally generated, and the experimental results indicate that the CTAPB has powerful autofocusing ability. As a replacement of a CAPB and a ring Airyprime beam array, this introduced CTAPB can be applied to the scenes which involve abruptly autofocusing effect.

Transmission characteristics of Gaussian array beams in seawater-to-air propagating incorporating turbulence media and foam layer.

This paper investigates the propagation of Gaussian array beams (GABs) through seawater-to-air in the presence of oceanic turbulence, atmospheric turbulence, and wave foams. Specifically, we focus on the intensity distribution of diverse typical GAB structures (ring, multi-ring, and rectangle). Then, an innovative intensity analysis model to calculate the average intensity in each medium is proposed. Moreover, we experimentally verify the proposed method by examining the intensity fading characteristic of Gaussian beams in the seawater-to-air path. Our results show that the peak intensity is primarily affected by the refraction in the ocean and foam layer, rather than air layer. The difference of theoretical and experimental values are less than 0.13 for the peak intensity. Moreover, the intensity distributions are more significantly affected by ocean turbulence but less influenced by wind speed.

Propagation dynamics of rotating high-order cosine-Gaussian array beams induced by initial cross phase

Propagation dynamics of rotating high-order cosine-Gaussian array beams induced by initial cross phase

Position Mapping Relationship for Converting Laguerre-Gaussian Beam Array into Hermite-Gaussian Beam Array Based on a Tilted Lens

Position Mapping Relationship for Converting Laguerre-Gaussian Beam Array into Hermite-Gaussian Beam Array Based on a Tilted Lens

Fast sampling based image reconstruction algorithm for sheared-beam imaging

Sheared-beam imaging (SBI) is an unconventional ground-based optical imaging technique. It breaks through the traditional optical imaging concept by using three coherent laser beams, which are laterally displaced at the transmit plane, to illuminate the target, reconstructing the target image from echo signals. However, the echo data sampling of the imaging system is still not fast enough to reconstruct the high resolution and clear image of the target when imaging the target that is at rapidly changing position and attitude. In order to solve this problem, in this work an image reconstruction method is proposed based on five-beam fast sampling. An emitted beam array arranged in the cross shape with a central symmetrical structure is proposed, and the encoding and decoding method of the imaging system are changed. With a single exposure, the echo signals carry more spectrum information of the target, and the number of reconstructed images can be increased from 1 to 8, which quickly suppresses the speckle effect of the reconstructed image. Firstly, the principle of the imaging technique based on fast sampling is presented. Then, an image reconstruction algorithm based on fast sampling is studied. Eight groups of phase differences and amplitude information of the target can be extracted from echo signals. The wavefront phases are solved by the least-squares method, and wavefront amplitude can be obtained by the algebraic operation of speckle amplitude. The target image is reconstructed by the inverse Fourier transform. The simulation results show that comparing with the traditional three-beam image reconstruction method, the sampling times of echo data needed to obtain the same quality image are reduced from 20 to 5 , which greatly reduces the sampling times of echo data and improves the sampling rate of echo data.

Long-Distance Transmission of Vortex Beam Arrays in Unstable Stratified Ocean

Long-Distance Transmission of Vortex Beam Arrays in Unstable Stratified Ocean

High-Accuracy Airborne Rangefinder via Deep Learning Based on Piezoelectric Micromachined Ultrasonic Cantilevers.

This article presents a high-accuracy air-coupled acoustic rangefinder based on piezoelectric microcantilever beam array using continuous waves. Cantilevers are used to create a functional ultrasonic rangefinder with a range of 0-1 m. This is achieved through a design of custom arrays. This research investigates various classification techniques to identify airborne ranges using ultrasonic signals. The initial approach involves implementing individual models such as support vector machine (SVM), Gaussian Naive Bayes (GNB), logistic regression (LR), k-nearest neighbors (KNNs), and decision tree (DT). To potentially achieve better performance, the study introduces a deep learning (DL) architecture based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to categorize different ranges. The CNN model combines the strengths of multiple classification models, aiming for more accurate range detection. To ensure the model generalizes well to unseen data, a technique called k-fold cross-validation (CV), which provides the reliability assessment, is used. The proposed framework demonstrates a significant improvement in accuracy (100%), and area under the curve (AUC) (1.0) over other approaches.

Hybrid Adaptive Beamforming Approach for Antenna Array fed Parabolic Reflector for C-band Applications

This paper presents the design of a parabolic reflector fed through a patch antenna array feed to enhance the directivity and radiation properties. Adaptive beam formers steer and alter an array's beam pattern to increase signal reception and minimize interference. Weight selection is a critical difficulty in achieving low SLL and beam width. Low SLL and narrow beam reduce antenna radiation and reception. Adjusting the weights reduces SLL and tilts the nulls. Adaptive beam formers are successful signal processors if their array output converges to the required signal. Smart antenna weights can be determined using any window function. HPBW and SLL could be used to explore different algorithms. Both must be low for excellent smart antenna performance. In noisy settings, ACLMS and CLMS create narrow beams and side lobes. AANGD offers more control than CLMS and ACLMS. The blend of CLMS and ACLMS is more effective at signal convergence than CLMS and AANGD. It presents an alternative to the conventionally used horn-based feed network for C-band applications such as satellite communication. Broadside radiation patterns and 4x4 circular patch antenna arrays are used in the proposed design. 1400 aperture illumination is provided by the array's feed parabolic reflector, whose F/D ratio is 0.36. The proposed design's efficacy is assessed using simulation analysis.

An optimum design of a ring Airyprime beam array based on dimensionless eccentric position

The beam array with abruptly autofocusing capability weakens the turbulence effect in free space optical (FSO) communication systems with relatively low complexity, thereby improving the communication quality of FSO communication systems. Based on the perspective of dimensionless eccentric position B, the design of a ring Airyprime beam array (RAPBA) is optimized to achieve the strongest autofocusing capability. When B increases from zero, the autofocusing capability of a RAPBA first increases, then reaches a maximum value, and finally decreases. With given the exponential decay factor a, an optimum value of B under which the autofocusing capability is the strongest is searched out. With the decrease of a, the optimum value of B increases. When a = 0.05, the autofocusing capability of a RAPBA with the optimum B is enhanced by 373.66 % compared with the maximum autofocusing capability of a circular Airyprime beam, while the corresponding focal length is only shortened by 4.73 %. Also, we construct a concise experimental optical setup for the acquisition and the measurement of a RAPBA. The measured results support the theoretical predictions. The physical logical principles underlying the autofocusing capability and the dimensionless eccentric position is interpreted. This research offers a novel approach for an optimum design of a RAPBA with the strongest autofocusing capability. A similar variation pattern of autofocusing capability and dimensionless eccentric position exists in a ring Airy beam array (RABA). Accordingly, our proposed scheme is also suitable for the optimum design of a RABA.

Adaptive methods of generating complex light arrays.

Structured light arrays of various shapes have been a cornerstone in optical science, driven by the complexities of precise and adaptable generation. This study introduces an approach using a spatial light modulator (SLM) as a generator for these arrays. By projecting a holographic mask onto the SLM, it functions simultaneously as an optical convolution device, focusing mechanism, and structured light beam mask. Our approach offers unmatched versatility, allowing for the experimental fabrication of traditional beam arrays like azimuthal Laguerre-Gaussian (LG), Bessel-Gaussian (BG), and Hermite-Gauss (HG) in the far-field. Notably, it has enabled a method of generating Ince-Gauss (IG) and LG radial mode beam arrays using a convolution solution. Our system provides exceptional control over array periodicity and intensity distribution, bypassing the Talbot self-imaging phenomenon seen in traditional setups. We provide an in-depth theoretical discussion, supported by empirical evidence, of our far-field results. This method has vast potential for applications in optical communication, data processing, and multi-particle manipulation. It paves the way for rapid generation of structured light with high spatial frequencies and complex shapes, promising transformative advances in these domains.

Flexural wave rainbow trapping effect in the periodic non-uniform Euler-Bernoulli beams and its application in energy harvesting

The rainbow trapping of elastic wave enables spatial frequency shunting and energy concentration phenomenon, which implies that the broadband vibration will forbid propagating forward and occur energy concentration at different positions of metamaterial structure. This paper proposes a novel metamaterial consisting of the periodic non-uniform Euler-Bernoulli beams with an arbitrary profile section to achieve the rainbow trapping effect of flexural wave and application in piezoelectric energy harvester. Firstly, the differential quadrature method is introduced to solve a partial differential equation with variable coefficients. The convergence of this method is systematically demonstrated, and the correctness of band structures is validated by comparing theoretical results calculated by the differential quadrature method with those from the finite element method for different profiles. Based on band structures analysis, the working mechanism of the flexural wave rainbow trapping effect is attributed to the group velocity modulation; thereby, the constructed periodic array of non-uniform beams achieves integration of specific-band vibration reduction and energy enhancement at specific positions. Secondly, simulations indicate that the resonance rainbow trapping frequencies demonstrate more intense concentration of flexural wave energy compared to the counterpart with initial frequencies. Finally, the resonance rainbow trapping phenomenon demonstrates superiority in vibration energy harvesting. Specifically, when piezoelectric films are pasted on specific-position with enhanced energy density, the maximum output voltage in the independent circuit connection reaches up to 2.30V for the resonance rainbow trapping frequency of 8752Hz and the PVDF film position of x = 670 mm. Furthermore, simulations illustrate that the maximum output voltage and power are up to 4.52V and 1894.12 nW for the Series-A circuit connection, respectively, which is approximately the sum of the individual maximum output electrical energy generated by independent circuit connection at positions A and B. The proposed metamaterial beams can offer new selection guidelines for high-performance vibration energy harvesters.

Optical Phased Array-Based Laser Beam Array Subdivide Pixel Method for Improving Three-Dimensional Imaging Resolution

The small number of pixels in the current linear mode avalanche photodiode (LM-APD) array limits its three-dimensional (3D) imaging resolution. We use an optical phased array-based beam array subdivided pixel method to improve the 3D imaging resolution, using an optical phased array to generate a beam array with the same number of pixels as the LM-APD array and matching positions and controlling each sub-beam in the beam array to scan in the field of view of the corresponding pixel. The sub-beam divergence angle in the beam array is smaller than the instantaneous field of view angle of a single pixel in the LM-APD array. The sub-beam scanning in a single pixel’s field of view realizes the multiple acquisition of the target 3D information by the LM-APD array, thus improving the resolution of the LM-APD array. The distribution of the beam array in the far field is simulated, and the main performance parameters of 3D imaging are analyzed. Finally, a liquid crystal phase modulator is used as an optical phased array device to conduct experiments on a target 20 m away, and the results prove that our method can improve the resolution from 4 × 4 to 8 × 8, which can be improved at least four times.

Comparison of features of phenomena in the high latitude ionospheric F-region induced by powerful HF radio waves radiated by antennas with narrow and wide beam patterns

Physical experiments in natural free plasma (ionosphere) using controlled injection of powerful HF radio waves (HF pump waves) into the high latitude upper (F-region) ionosphere allow the investigation of various nonlinear phenomena. HF pump waves with ordinary (O-mode) polarization are commonly used for the modification of the upper ionosphere (F-region). This is due to the fact that extraordinary (X-mode) polarized HF pump waves are reflected from altitudes significantly below the reflection altitude of the O-polarized HF pump wave and the altitude of electrostatic plasma waves. Because of that they are not able to generate such waves or, as a consequence, cause artificial plasma turbulence and accompanying phenomena. However, the results of experiments carried out by AARI researchers at the EISCAT/Heating facility (Tromsø, Norway) have clearly demonstrated for the first time that X-polarized HF pump waves are able to produce artificial ionosphere disturbances which may be much stronger compared with O-mode disturbances. This opens up new possibilities for the investigation of nonlinear phenomena and ionospheric disturbances in the upper ionosphere, leading to the development of technologies allowing one to observe the processes in the Arctic zone ionosphere. In contrast to the traditional investigations of artificial ionospheric disturbances induced by O-mode HF pump waves, X-mode disturbances in the upper ionosphere are poorly investigated, the mechanisms of their generation are not understood. Therefore, such investigations require serious experimental and theoretical development. We present investigation results of the influence of the HF Phased Array beam width at the EISCAT/Heating facility (Tromsø, Norway) on the features of artificial disturbances in the high latitude upper (F-region) ionosphere induced by powerful HF radio waves. The paper analyzes the features, behavior, and spatial structure of electron density and temperature (Ne and Te), Langmuir and ion-acoustic plasma waves, artificial field-aligned irregularities (AFAIs), and narrowband (±1кHz relative to heating frequency) stimulated electromagnetic emission (NSEE) induced by X-mode HF pumping by phased Arrays with a narrow beam width of 5–6° (A1) and a wide beam width of 10–12° (at — 3 dB level) (A3). It is shown that the spatial size in the north-south direction of the Neducts and HF-enhanced plasma and ion lines (HFPL and HFIL) depends on the width of the HF Heating facility antenna beam. It corresponds to the angle width of 7° for the A3 antenna and 4° for A1, which is approximately two times less than the width of th pattern of A3 and A1. The relationship between the Ne duct transverse size and the size of the region occupied by the X-mode artificial irregularities is found. It has been established that the intensities of all the discrete components in the NSEE spectra are 10–20 dB higher when a powerful X-wave is emitted to the antenna A1, providing ERP = 820 MW, compared to radiation to the antenna A3, providing ERP = 230 MW. A comparison is made of the influence of the radiation pattern width of the antennas A1 and A3 on the characteristics of disturbances during O- and X-mode HF pumping. It is shown that Ne ducts and narrow band stimulated electromagnetic emission during O-mode heating, at frequencies below the critical frequency of the F2 layer, are not excited at all when the pump wave is emitted by both antennas A1 and A3. However, perturbations in the electron temperature, AFAI intensity, and the size of the region occupied by AFAIs are greater during O-mode heating than during X-mode heating.

Total light bending in non-asymptotically flat black hole spacetimes

The gravitational deflection of light is a critical test of modified theories of gravity. A few years ago, Gibbons and Werner introduced a definition of the deflection angle based on the Gauss–Bonnet theorem. In more recent years, Arakida proposed a related idea for defining the deflection angle in non-asymptotically flat spacetimes. We revisit this idea and use it to compute the angular difference in the Kottler geometry and a non-asymptotically flat solution in Horndeski gravity. Our analytic and numerical calculations show that a triangular array of laser beams can be designed so that the proposed definition of the deflection angle is sensitive to different sources of curvature. Moreover, we find that near the photon sphere, the deflection angle in the Horndeski solution is similar to its Schwarzschild counterpart, and we confirm that the shadows seen by a static observer are identical.

Performance comparison of conventional and striation-based beamformers for underwater bearing detection of pulse sources.

The multi-path and dispersion properties of shallow water waveguides make conventional beamforming (CBF) face issues such as beam shift, broadening, splitting, output distortion, and array gain reduction. In this paper, the striation-based beamforming (SBF) is investigated to address these issues. SBF differs from CBF by utilizing frequency-shift processing along interference striations. The performance difference between CBF and SBF is compared. It demonstrates that under ideal waveguide modeling with pulse sources, SBF can achieve a beam output response that is close to the plane wave condition. The speed term of SBF's response is approximately independent of modal indexes, which equips SBF to form a unique beam output and guarantee the beam resolution. The processing of consistent signals along the striation maintains the optimal signal correlation, which makes SBF ensure the output fidelity and array gain. To shift the mainlobe of SBF to the source azimuth, the time delay related to the waveform truncation point can be introduced to pre-compensate the array signals. There exist two theoretical accuracy limits to using the truncation. First, truncation time corresponds to the waveform point at r0/c (r0 is the source range), and the mainlobe of SBF is directed to the source azimuth. Second, truncation corresponds to the pulse peak point, and the azimuth estimation accuracy of SBF gets close to CBF. Simulations and experimental results are given as illustrations.

Optimizing geometrical parameters of coherent beam combining in the near and far-field distance

Determining the characteristics of the laser array to improve the performance of a laser system based on coherent beam combination (CBC) has continuously garnered interest. To this end, the parameters of the Gaussian beam waist, array shape, and distance between adjacent beams were studied and numerically investigated in this study. Consequently, the combined beam quality was compared for hexagonal, circular, and square arrays. The observing plane’s location was fixed at 10 km and varied from 0.25 to 10 km to investigate the effect of beam waist on combined beam quality in two modes (near and far field) using the power in the 5 cm bucket metric (PIB5cm). Furthermore, the average PIB5cm was investigated to determine all observing plane distances. The simulation results in two states of fixed and variable observing plane distances demonstrated that the hexagonal array has an advantage in attaining PIB5cm and higher combined beam quality. In addition, the quality of the combined beam degrades as the space between the beams increases. Moreover, the optimal beam waist and aperture diameter are independent of the array geometry and the vacancy between adjacent beams.

Error Vector Magnitude as a Performance Standard for Antennas in the Millimeter-Wave Era: Part 2: Modeling, simulation, and measurement methods

The error vector magnitude (EVM) is a comprehensive measure of the amplitude and phase distortion of digitally modulated signals and a potential tool for characterizing the performance of active beamforming arrays, especially at millimeter-wave frequencies, because of the high level of integration and limited spacing between the radiating elements. A review of the EVM measurement process and fundamental principles for time-domain demodulation with a vector signal analyzer (VSA) and spectral correlation with a vector network analyzer (VNA) was presented in [1]. This article demonstrates how researchers have modeled and measured impairments from antenna and phased array signal transmission to characterize their influence on the EVM of single and multicarrier digital signals. It presents examples of simulation models and measurements of the distortion from ultrawideband (UWB) passive antenna transmission, power amplifier (PA) nonlinearities, and phased array beam squint and beam scan intersymbol interference (ISI). A brief survey of over-the-air (OTA) test ranges for EVM analysis is also provided. This overview of state-of-the-art EVM simulation and measurement methods is intended to help interested readers understand and enhance the EVM performance analysis methods applied to antennas and phased arrays in this new era of millimeter-wave communications.

Hydrodynamic forces in array of uniform and non-uniform cantilever beams

In this paper, we have implemented the three-dimensional Boundary Element Method (BEM) to solve the hydrodynamic forces in arrays of two, three, and five thin beams oscillating with small amplitudes in a fluid. We solve the unsteady Stokes equation by considering the oscillatory Stokeslet. The non-dimensional hydrodynamic function is validated through numerical solutions obtained using the Finite Element Method (FEM) at various frequency parameters and gap ratios. We analyse the influence of the relative phase and amplitude ratio of a uniform beam and a non-uniform two-beam array in terms of added mass and damping coefficients. Additionally, we compare the solution with experimental results available in the literature as a function of gap ratio. The analysis presented in this paper can be useful for optimizing arrays used in Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), biosensors, and energy harvesters.